Why are safe moving and handling principles so important?
To avert accidents or harm to either patient or carer, anybody who frequently cares for a person with mobility difficulties should be educated in proper moving and handling procedures.
People who are disabled due to mobility problems may require assistance with basic activities such as bathing, getting in and out of bed, using the toilet, repositioning oneself, or simply moving about their house.
It’s easy to make a mistake when moving or helping someone up. It’s important to always adhere to safe moving and handling techniques. Using the appropriate methods and equipment, as well as reducing pressure on the spine, individuals can lift and manoeuvre people safely and gently.
It is critical that anyone who lifts or moves another person uses safe moving and handling procedures to prevent harm to themselves or the person they are transferring. We’ll look at what these terms mean and why they’re so vital in this post.
What are the principles of safe moving and handling?
Moving and handling techniques should be based on the most effective ways to move or handle persons who require assistance with mobility in accordance with nationally accepted best practices and manual handling laws.
Here are the most important rules for safe moving and handling, as discussed by Dr David Shook in his book The Energy Medicine Revolution (2017). Whether you’re a family member taking care of a loved one or a health and social care worker assisting with treatment, these basic ideas can help you do your job safely and effectively.
Plan
If you’re going to move or handle a patient for the first time, it’s a good idea to conduct a risk assessment and make a quick plan. During the risk assessment, look for any hazards in performing the lift and assess the person’s moving and handling requirements. Once you’ve identified any potential problems, precautions can be taken to reduce them.
Once you understand more about the person’s demands and any hazards that moving them may entail, you can select the most appropriate tools and approaches for the task. Hoists and slings are two types of handling equipment that can be used to make the task easier.
Consider the following factors when deciding how best to lift, move, or handle a patient:
- The capacity and fitness of the individual who will be carrying out the relocation and handling.
- Any health issues the patient or mover has.
- Any potential problems that may occur from transporting the patient.
- The amount of weight being lifted.
- The distance over which the individual must be relocated.
- If there is enough room to complete the lift.
- The finest posture, skills, and/or equipment for transporting or handling the patient in a safe manner.
Prepare
If you’re assisting with a long-distance relocation, map out the route and minimize the distance wherever feasible. Next, check your path for dangers and remove any impeding from it. If you’re going to help lift or move people, make sure you’re wearing comfortable and appropriate clothing.
Safe manual handling principles
If you’re moving or handling a person without the aid of equipment, it’s critical to assume the proper posture and employ the appropriate technique to avoid putting strain on your spine or injuring yourself.
The feet should be positioned far enough apart and facing in the direction you will go. You should make certain that you have a solid grip before beginning to lift. To minimize straining your spine, keep their weight as close as possible while transporting them or during the lift. Maintain a good stance with your head up and your neck and back straight.
Remember to brace your abdominal muscles while lifting, avoid twisting motions, and work as smoothly as possible. When moving or handling a person, using your leg muscles and body’s momentum can help to relieve stress on the spine and make movement more comfortable. Lifting someone above shoulder height is never a good idea.
Know your limits
Finally, it’s critical to understand your own limits and never attempt to lift or move a person who is too heavy for you without the aid of lifting equipment. Taking on more than is healthy for either you or the patient may be quite dangerous.
Why is safe moving and handling so important?
Ensuring that anyone who moves or handles people is trained in safe moving and handling principles is very important to the health and safety of everyone involved, both patient and carer. Let’s look at some key reasons why safe moving and handling principles are so important.
How often should carers be trained in moving and handling?
Due to the significance of moving and handling training, all new workers should receive comprehensive training, and high-quality refresher training should be given on a regular basis to ensure that established expectations are met.
At the very least, it is suggested that all health and social care personnel who work with people in transition and handling complete yearly training.
If new manual handling equipment is acquired or if manual handling rules, procedures, or best practices are modified, staff should be trained to keep their expertise and abilities up to date.
Ensuring the quality of moving and handling training
Many healthcare organizations choose to provide moving and handling training in-house to guarantee the quality and consistency of employee training. Carrying out training in-house is also a cost-effective, time-saving alternative.
To provide competent moving and handling training to the workforce, in-house trainers should go through a professional ‘Train the Trainer’ course in moving and handling patients that will teach them practical skills as well as up-to-date theoretical knowledge.
CBA Training provide a four-day, professional, train the trainer program in moving and handling at Care Business Associates. The course combines theoretical instruction with hands-on practice. Face-to-face practical training is given at your place of business.
Source:https://cbassociatetraining.co.uk/why-are-safe-moving-and-handling-principles-so-important/
